DeWitt Clinton

"The overflowing blessings from this fountain of public good and national abundance
will be as extensive as our own country and as durable as time." -- DeWitt Clinton

DeWitt Clinton (1769-1828), often referred to as the "Father of the Erie Canal," served in
the New York State Legislature and the U.S. Senate, and was Mayor of New York City and
Governor of New York State. He strongly advocated building a canal through upstate New York
to connect the east with the Midwest, and became such a strong supporter of the plan that his
opponents called it "Clinton's Ditch".

DeWitt Clinton was the nephew of George Clinton and the son of
James Clinton (1733-1812), who served in the French and Indian Wars and as an American
Revolutionary general. DeWitt's accomplishments are numerous and well worth investigating
further. The chronology below is but a brief glimpse of a very busy and productive public
career.

1790 -- Columbia University graduate, lawyer

1790-1795 -- Private secretary to his uncle, George Clinton

1797-1798 -- New York Assembly

1798-1802 -- New York Senate

1802-1803 -- United States Senate

1803-1815 -- Mayor of New York City: Among his efforts during his 10 terms was the
promotion of public education, city planning, public sanitation, and relief for the poor. As
mayor, Clinton also held office as state senator (1806-1811) and lieutenant governor
(1811-1813).

1817-1823 -- Governor of New York State

1810-1824 -- New York Canal Commissioner

1825-1828 -- Governor of New York State

1812 -- Narrowly lost the race for President of the United States to James Madison.

Clinton, George (1739-1812). He accompanied the regiment of his
father, Charles Clinton, in the expedition against Fort Frontenac in the French and Indian War.
After studying and practicing law, he was elected to the provincial assembly (1768), and became
a leader of the anti-British faction. In 1775, Clinton was elected one of the State's delegates to
the Second Continental Congress. Under the new state constitution, which George Clinton
helped to frame, he was elected in June, 1777 as the first governor of New York State and was
elected for six successive terms (1777-1795) and a seventh in 1800. Because he favored state
sovereignty, Clinton was one of the chief opponents of the U.S. Constitution. In 1804, he was
elected vice president for President Jefferson's second term. George Clinton unsuccessfully
sought the presidency in 1808, and became vice president under James Madison.